Roberto Solozábal
Atlético Madrid youth product and double-winning centre-back.
Roberto Solozábal Villanueva (born 15 September 1969) is a Spanish former professional footballer who played as a central defender. He appeared in 273 La Liga games over 11 seasons, representing Atlético Madrid and Betis.
Quick Facts
- Full name
- Roberto Solozábal Villanueva
- Born
- 15 September 1969
- Birthplace
- Madrid, Spain
- Height
- 1.80 m / 5 ft 11 in
- Position
- Centre-back
- Total caps
- 301
- Total goals
- 4
Lore & Background
A product of local Atlético Madrid's youth system, Madrid-born Solozábal represented the first team from 1989 to 1997. During the 1995–96 campaign, he formed a solid centre-back partnership with Juan Manuel López as the capital side achieved an historic double, with Solozábal featuring in 40 league matches. After leaving Atlético, he signed with Real Betis. In his last season, the club was relegated and he was ousted from the squad for allegedly organising a riot; he ultimately took it to court for lack of payment.
Reader's Guide
Solozábal was captain of the Spanish side that won the gold medal at the 1992 Summer Olympics in Barcelona, and earned 12 full caps in two years, his first coming on 17 April 1991 in a 2–0 friendly loss to Romania in Cáceres.
Did You Know?
- Solozábal's debut for Atlético Madrid was on 2 September in a 3–1 away win against Valencia CF, playing the full 90 minutes.
- His second son Hugo was also a professional footballer; his oldest son Iker (born 2001) was a triathlete.
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